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YOUR RESEARCHplease help me determine audio components
Reported or suspected cause
upgrade by the original owner
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No successful repair reported for this finding.
0
Identified cause
1
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0
Reported fixes
Read evidence and context
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Suspected cause
More than likely an upgrade by the original owner.
Leading evidence: 'upgrade by the original owner' (no explicit attributable resolution; this is a reported action or suggestion). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'upgrade by the original owner' (1 discussions; 0 report identifying it and 1 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Check back of the magnet' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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Suggestion
Lastly, you'd have to remove one of the speakers and check the back of the magnet for Bose labeling.
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9 eligible posts · 0 unverified posts · 1 discussions match the subject in their title or opening post.
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My '03 C2 has the CDR-23 head unit. The window sticker lists "hi-fi audio (digital)", and the 490 option is on the sticker in the frunk.
My question is - what speakers and amplifier does this imply? This page:
https://www.stuttcars.com/technical/...des/996-03-05/
says optoin 490 is "
Basic sound system (Harmann analog)", which doesn't make sense, because I know it's a MOST system.
It really shouldn't be this hard/confusing...
More than likely an upgrade by the original owner. There was a cross over period I believe and some of the legacy analog systems (i.e. CDR-220) made it in the post '02 cars. If you have the CDR-23, then it's definitely MOST and that would mean you have a DSP-6600 MOST based amplifier manufactured by Becker. The part number - 996.645.331.00
Thanks.
So, further clarification - in what circumstances would a Bose amp be in the car? Is the system MOST based regardless of whether the amp is Becker or Bose? Is the number of speakers the only difference between a Bose and Becker system?
Honestly, I'm not the expert on the subject, but have changed out these systems. Unlike the older analog, MOST is a digital transport stream over fiber optic lines. MOST has nothing to do with Becker or Bose. It's like the plastic bottle has to do with Coke or Pepsi. The plastic bottle is newer than the old glass bottles, but does the job in similar fashion. (forgive the lame analogy). Bose systems are more complicated that the base or standard "HIFI" systems in the Porsches. With Bose you'll normally have component Bose speakers and a subwoofer for more fidelity. You'll also have a CD changer and sound processor (i.e. fancy EQ) as well as a proprietary BOSE amplifier. Totally different system than the Beckers. But again, MOST is just one way of moving the information around the components and since it's digital the ECU can provide security features to prevent theft from occuring. The MOST based units don't use the security codes like the older analog. Porsche programs the unit to be matched with your VIN. Therefore, if something goes silent, in many cases, you'll have to go to the dealership and have them reset it with their PIWIS systems. That's why many Porsche owners just swap them out for aftermarket units.
Thanks again. So, now I know for 2003+, it's MOST regardless.
Now, how do I know if I have a Bose system? The amp is not in the car, so I can't check. Would the number/types of speakers tell me?
The car has option 490 (hi-fi audio), but I don't know if that means Bose or Becker.
The easiest way is to see if the logo is marked on the speaker grilles. The next is to open the frunk, pull back the liner behind the spare, and look for any Bose components. Lastly, you'd have to remove one of the speakers and check the back of the magnet for Bose labeling. The easiest ones are in the rear on each side of the seats.
My guess is you have the Becker "HIFI" option which is an upgrade just under the Bose PCM option.
An interesting note about tracking intermittent audio issues with MOST....The MOST physical layer is made up of plastic optical fiber (not glass). One of the frustrations felt by the auto manufacturers was diagnosing intermittent audio problems. Customer would complain that the stereo powered up, for instance, but no audio was heard. Customer drives the car to the dealer, dealer pulls it into their garage and they go through the system and everything is fine. Customer takes the car home and it happens again. rinse and repeat. One of the issues with plastic optical fiber is that, if broken, the two broken end faces may still butt up against each other well enough to pass a signal without too much attenuation...but if it gets cold, the two end faces will shrink back from each other and the insertion loss is too great to pass light. What appears to be an amplifier issue, for instance, can be the difference between jumping into the car when it is cold (and the gap between fiber end faces is too great) and then having those cables warm up and the system works again. If the fiber was glass..well the result of a break is usually pretty straightforward and it simply doesn't work at all.
That is interesting. Thanks for the explanation.
In my case, I had a shop verify the amp was inoperable, so I simply need a new amp. Still wondering if I need a Becker unit, or if a Bose amp would work, which seem to be more plentiful and less expensive.
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